making statements

I'm into the occupation. I haven't made it to a local meeting yet, but that will change Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, I am frantic with restless energy, ready to act and do things. I decided to carry around a couple fliers, but then a worker at Wheatsville asked, "What is that all about?"

I stammered and faltered, and finally answered, "You've heard of the Occupy Wall Street? Well, it's that, and it starts here on Thursday." I gave a terrible answer, and it highlighted for me a problem that I need to address. I can't tell anyone what Occupy Wall Street is all about because it's not a slogan or a brand. I know why I am excited by it, I know why I am driven to participate, I know why I keep pushing through my own fears, insecurities, doubts, and others' apathy - the challenge is to articulate it to other people when they are ready to hear it and encourage them to see that they belong with us.

This is the first attempt at that articulation. It's going on fliers with Hallie's statement, and we'll hand them out to anyone who stops by City Hall and wants to know what it's all about; we'll hand them out to anyone who wants to know why we're spending our time occupying. And I'm going back to Wheatsville tomorrow to find that guy and give him a good answer: